Treatment of fibrous materials



DANIEL MGGILL, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOB TO VOLOS I/IANUFAGTURE LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TREATMENT OF FIBJROUS HEATER/TAILS.

no Drawing.

To all to 710m it may concern.

Be it known that I. DANIEL MGGILL, a subject of the King'of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at Finsbury House, Blomfield Street, London, E. C. 2, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to the Treatment of Fibrous h Iaterialaof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the treatment of fibrous materials, e. g., cocoanut fibre, which do not naturally possess the resiliency and curl that will prevent the mass felting or planking into a hard mass when used for a mattress for example.

The object of the present invention is to subject such fibres after they have been rolled or bailed in a machine that does not .form part of the present invention, to a chemical treatment by which they will retain their springy condition; in other words, they will resemble natural horse hair.

Another object of the-invention is to treat or apply to such fibres, i. e., cocoanut or other fibres, that normally possess little life in them, after they are rolled or balled, a protective and antiseptic insoluble film, so that while they retain the curl that has been imparted to them they are not liable to be broken up by microbic or other parasitic growths, and at the same time will not be so harsh to the touch.

Another object of the invention is a chemical mixture that will act upon the fibres as above stated, and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The present invention consists in treating fibre, such as cocoanut and similar fibre, after being bailed or rolled, with a solution whereby it will. cause the fibre to retain its curl or resilience, is non-brittle, and is moisture-proof.

The invention also consists in a solution for the above purpose comprising a mixture of glue and molasses or black treacle or glue only, potassium or other suitable chloride, caustic soda, a proportion of graphite or the like, and alum in or approximating to the proportions hereinafter stated.

In carrying the invention into effect the chemical. compound comprises a basic material such as good strong glue which is Specification. of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 22, 1921.

Patented July 4, 1922.

Serial No. 524,263.

steeped in water preferably warmed, so as to facilitate it being" thoroughly absorbed by the glue. This is continued until the glue is saturated, agitation being employed if necessary. The solution of glue is then placed in a mixing tank and a small quantity of potassium or other suitable chloride is added thereto. the action being assisted by constant stirring. A. smali quantity of caustic soda solution is then added followed b a quantity of molasses or black treacle, which supplements the basic material, and is chosen as being; relatively cheaper than ,Qilue. Continued stirring results in a solution upon which is powdered a quantity of graphite, followed by the addition of a solut on of alum to thin down the solution and render it insoluble to the action of water when applied to the fibre.

It is found that a mixture in or approximating. to the following proportions will good results Glue dissolved in water, and making up the whole to two gallons of mixture.

The addition of chloride is to facilitate stove drying at a high temperature, while the graphite added will improve the touch of the fibre.

The mixture may be watered down if it is too thick or rich.

It is found that caustic soda neutralizes any traces of fatty acids that may be present in the glue, with consequent conversion into hard soaps, and protects the film of mixture after its deposit on the fibre from microbic or parasitic growths that ght otherwise attack the fibre, and break it up.

In using the mixture as the fibre leaves the machine where it is rolled or balled, it is fed by. suitable means. which may include a travelling belt or band into a mixing tank containing the above chemical solution in a heated condition. As it leaves the balling machine in a moist condition,the heat of the mixture chamber turns the moisture into steam which leaves the fibres and places them in a condition to fully absorb the chemical solution. The fibre is passed through the tank preferably in a number of stages, the solution being kept flowing by a suitable pump, such as a suction pump, that finally raises the treated fibre and solution out of the tank and on to a sloping grid that drains off the solution and delivers the fibre into a drying chamber. The

solution passes away back into the tank, and the fibre after being thoroughly dried by being passed preferably in a zigzag fashion through a heated drying chamber, is delivered ready for use. is passed through a teazer after leaving the drying chamber. The top of the drying chamber is provided with a suction fan to assist the drying.

It is found that the fibre thus treated receives a homogeneous coating or film, that will'rapidly dry, and will be of a non-brittle nature that will not crack or flake off. It is black, is smooth to the touch, is moisture proof, and fibre thus treated is resilient.

It is to be understood that instead of using molasses or black treacle, glue only Preferably it name to this specification.

table fibres comprising a mixture of glue,

molasses, potassium chloride, caustic soda,

graphite and alum.

4;. A solution for the treatment of Vegetable fibres comprising a mixture of the following in the approximate proportion speci- Glue 1 1b. Potassium chloride from a to 1 oz. Caustic soda oz. Black treacle 1 lb. Graphite 1 to 2 ozs.

Potassium alum 2 ozs.

dissolved in water.

5. An improved article of manufacture comprising curled vegetable fibres coated with a mixture of glue, molasses, potassium chloride, caustic soda, graphite and alum. In testimony whereof I have signedmy DANIEL MQGILL. 

